Energy

Image: GRID Alternatives

Supplying reliable and sustainable energy to the state’s economy requires planning and policies underpinned by a commitment to utilization of the best available science. To this end, California’s energy infrastructure must be designed to cope with the state’s highly variable conditions and frequent disruptions from wildfires, storms, and floods, which will be exacerbated by more frequent and intense natural disasters brought by a changing climate. The impacts of climate change have potential to be drastic for the energy sector. For instance, changes in temperatures, precipitation patterns, extreme events, and sea-level rise have the potential to decrease the efficiency of thermal power plants and substations, decrease the capacity of transmission lines, render hydropower less reliable, spur an increase in electricity demand, and put energy infrastructure at risk of flooding.[1]

To address resilience of the energy sector, local jurisdictions must work with utilities and regulators. At the state level, the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) are working to address the effects of climate disruption on the energy sector. Priorities for the energy sector include actionable research, working with vulnerable communities, and continuing to invest in renewable energy, renewable distributed generation, energy efficiency, and building retrofits. All of these efforts can bolster and incorporate climate adaptation, limiting climate impacts while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A priority should be on improving energy sector resilience for vulnerable communities, as these communities will suffer disproportionately from the impacts of climate change.[2] Another important piece is for investor-owned utilities and other energy infrastructure owners to develop robust vulnerability assessments and resilience plans, incorporating the risks from a standardized set of climate scenarios.[3]
Local governments can partner with utilities in these areas, to provide energy security, reduce energy demand, and improve system reliability.

U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit. 2017

Extreme heatExtreme stormsFloodingWildfire

Plan or strategy

This case study showcases how the Bluelake Rancheria Tribe focuses on energy efficiency and clean renewables to improve reseliency of the electrical grid against heavy rains, wildfires and flooding. The article also provides a list of … climate actions that the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe has taken.

City of Vista. 2012

Extreme heatExtreme stormsSea level riseTemperatureWildfire

Plan or strategy

Chapter 3 of the 2012 City of Vista Climate Action Plan lists five adaptation measures including reassessing vulnerability and protecting the public to address heat waves, wildfires, temperature, extreme heat, and extreme storms.

Marin County. 2014

DroughtExtreme heatSea level riseTemperature

Plan or strategy

Chapter 7 of the 2014 County of Marin Climate Action Plan includes a discussion of the potential impacts on the County due to temperature, drought, sea level rise, extreme heat, and wildfires. The chapter also includes sections on collaboration … and funding of implementation measures.

Sonoma County. 2016

DroughtExtreme heatFloodingSea level riseWildfire

Plan or strategy

Chapter 6 of the 2016 Sonoma County Regional Climate Action Plan includes a section on vulnerabilities caused by extreme heat days, droughts, wildfires, floods, fewer winter nights that freeze, and sea level rise. Another section in Chapter … 6 discusses responding to these vulnerabilities through better water management, land management and more.

City of San Luis Obispo. 2012

DroughtExtreme heatExtreme stormsSea level riseTemperatureWildfire

Plan or strategy

The 2012 City of San Luis Obispo Climate Action Plan addresses adaptation in every chapter. Each chapter includes an adaptation strategy for temperature, extreme heat events, wildfire, sea level rise, drought, and extreme storms.

City of San Ramon. 2011

Extreme heatExtreme stormsFloodingSea level riseWildfire

Plan or strategyPlanning and policy guidance

Section 6 of the 2011 San Ramon Climate Action Plan is dedicated to wildfire, water supply, snow pack, sea level rise, and extreme heat. It also lists General Plan policies that address the impacts of climate change like providing adequate … fire protection facilities and requiring development projects to have indoor water conservation measures

City of Santa Barbara. 2012

Extreme stormsFloodingSea level riseTemperatureWildfire

Plan or strategy

Chapter 3 of the 2012 City of Santa Barbara Climate Action Plan includes adaptation strategies and discusses vulnerabilities such as temperature, rainfall, extreme storms, and sea level rise. The adaptation chapter contains adaptation strategies … such as emergency plans and the diversification of water sources.

County of San Diego. 2017

DroughtExtreme heatExtreme stormsSea level riseTemperatureWildfire

AssessmentPlan or strategy

The County of San Diego Climate Action Plan includes a vulnerability assessment and adaptation and resiliency strategies. This Climate Action Plan uses the California Adaptation Planning Guide as the basis for its adaptation chapter and … uses Cal-Adapt to inform its vulnerability assessment.

City of Richmond. 2016

DroughtExtreme heatExtreme stormsSea level riseTemperatureWildfire

Plan or strategy

The Richmond Climate Action Plan outlines vulnerabilities and potential consequences of climate change while integrating public health and economic opportunities. The Plan builds on the City's Health in All Policies (HiAP) strategy. The methodology … used to develop the Richmond Adaptation Study is based on the Adapting to Rising Tides (ART) Program methodology developed by the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) and NOAA Coastal Services Center. The Plan also references the state's adaptation planning tool, Cal-Adapt.